Collaboration Case Study: Story Relay – Pass the Baton

by Host School: SAI International School, India

Stories are the heartbeats of imagination. They carry us to new worlds, teach us empathy, and give voice to the thoughts we sometimes struggle to express. Story telling is the best form of communication and lots are happening in the world through story telling.

“Story Relay – Pass the Baton” began as a simple idea in the Principal’s room during the visit of Ms. Rajbir Sandhu, SSD, South Asia and Gulf. Encouraged to explore this creative vision, the school decided to transform it into a collaborative project that could engage Round Square schools worldwide. The concept was straightforward yet ambitious: weave a storybook with chapters written by students from different schools, each building on the previous one, following a theme provided at the outset.

The first edition was published in 2023. The idea blossomed to a beautiful novel as young students of eleven schools from across India and Nigeria collaborated to create a chapter of the book and pass the baton for the next school to recreate magic in the next chapter. A mini novel was created by young students from 11 to13 year olds. The host school wrote the opening chapter, introducing a story about a little girl who gets lost. Subsequent schools developed subplots, characters, climaxes, and anticlimaxes, eventually transforming the simple narrative of a little girl getting lost into a complete mini-novel about a super hero.

Lessons learned from the first edition shaped the second. The initial timeline was challenging, as summer vacation created gaps between chapters. Schools had only two days to read the previous chapters and draft their own, which was difficult for those writing later chapters. Feedback suggested sharing chapters as they were written, allowing students to prepare more effectively. Adjustments to rules and sequencing helped streamline collaboration and improved the overall flow of the story.

The second edition expanded to 18 schools from six countries, and the third edition this year has 20 schools participating from Qatar, UAE, UK, India, and Pakistan. This growth demonstrates the popularity and appeal of the project, proving that cross-border collaboration can thrive without obstacles when creativity and curiosity are at the forefront.

Student impact and learning outcomes have been remarkable. Participants developed literary skills, critical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and teamwork. They debated and discussed ideas, negotiated plotlines, and set the tone for their chapters, all while learning to listen, encourage one another, and turn individual ideas into a shared story. Many students eagerly followed the progression of the book, observing how a collective effort transformed into a cohesive mini-novel.

Innovations in the third edition included adding an audiobook component. Students audio-recorded and dramatized their chapters, creating a unified audiobook that brought the story vividly to life. This new element further enhanced communication, creativity, and technical skills, providing an additional avenue for imaginative expression.

The theme for this year, “Sky is the Limit,” perfectly reflects the spirit of the project: encouraging students to explore, imagine, and collaborate without boundaries. Across all editions, the “Pass the Baton” initiative has nurtured inquisitiveness, creativity, and empathy, illustrating how storytelling can be a powerful tool for holistic learning.

Each chapter created is the result of shared ideas, thoughtful visions, and the courage to write from the heart. Whether the tales transport you to fantasy realms, introduce you to unforgettable characters, or explore the wonders of everyday life, they reflect the unique voices and imaginations of young storytellers working as a team.

Kudos to the participating schools from across the world for keeping the Round square spirit and IDEALS alive, embedding it into the learning process. Thankyou is a small word to extend to our beloved Bubbles Ma’am for her ever so cheerful encouragement. Last but not the least SAI International School management and teachers for supporting this activity year after year.

Listen to the Audio Book

How to make the most out of a collaboration:

1. Start with a Simple but Flexible Theme

• Choose a broad, inspiring theme that allows for creativity while providing a shared foundation for all participants (e.g., “Sky is the Limit”).
• Write the first chapter yourself to set tone, style, and introduce key elements—but leave space for others to expand.
• Keep the plot open-ended so each school can add twists, characters, or new settings.

2. Build a Collaboration Network

• Invite a mix of local and international schools to participate, ensuring diversity of perspectives.
• Set an order for participation so the “baton” moves smoothly from one school to the next.
• Use simple communication channels (email, shared folders, or collaborative platforms) to share chapters, guidelines, and timelines.

3. Provide Clear Guidelines While Allowing Creative Freedom

• Ask each school to:
  • Maintain the story’s essence and continuity.
  • Add unique contributions—subplots, characters, settings, surprises.
• Share the previous chapter and brief continuity notes with each next school.
• Limit chapters to a certain length so the final book is balanced.

4. Enrich the Experience with Extra Creative Layers

• Encourage students to work in teams so they practise communication, problem-solving, and consensus-building.
• Add elements like audio dramatizations, artwork, or cover design competitions to make it multi-modal.
• Consider producing both a written book and audiobook for broader engagement.

5. Celebrate and Share the Outcome

• Compile all chapters into a final published book (digital and/or print).
• Credit all schools and students clearly.
• Host a virtual or in-person launch where each school presents their chapter and reflects on their experience.
• Share with the wider school community, press, and education networks to inspire more participation in future editions.